Putting is all about letting the golf ball roll along the length of green on the line of putt and sink in the hole. Putting involves concentration, the right judgment of distance and speed control. It also involves perfect wrist action and keeping the shoulders very straight such that the ball comfortably rolls with the perfect swing. Thus, it all depends on the skills of the golfer on being as steady and concentrated on the game. Golfers are now increasingly using belly putters.
Type of putters
If you visit a sports equipment shop, you will be amazed to find the sheer variety of putters that a golfer can choose. The sales man would explain that there are conventional putters, belly putters and long putters that a golfer can choose from. But as an amateur golfer , you are bound to be perplexed as how to choose what works best for you!
A conventional putter is the standard gold putting club that allows a traditional golfer putt well. Golfers believe that the conventional putter is the best choice if a golfer is fairly comfortable using it.
Compared to a conventional putter, the belly putter has the right putter length that helps the shaft of the putter to rest against the abdomen of the golfer. In this way, the belly putter ensures that there is a third body contact between the putter and the golfer.
A long putter is indeed long and helps the golfer maintain an upright position so that a person with an aching back or one who can not move can carry on well with the style of putting.
How to choose a putter?
To determine which putter suits you best, you must practice putting on the green for getting the right feel of the putter in hand and of course, how well you are able to use your wrists and hands. Practice the putting technique with the conventional putter initially. Then practice the next putting technique with a belly putter or a long putter. Try to determine which putter helped you develop feel of the putting distance and putting technique. If a person suffers from a peculiar golf condition called “yips”, where there is an involuntary nervous movement of the wrists and hands, just when he/she is about to putt the ball, then the belly putter would come really handy. Belly putters have their shaft length against the navel of the golfer so that there is complete support to the putter. With the help of this putter, the golfer can easily control the action, movements and rhythm of the wrists. A golfer can easily overcome his “yips” with the belly putter.
The only drawback in belly putters is that the overall length of the shaft is so long and the shaft is also too thick for comfort. As a result, the feel of distance of the putt is reduced and a golfer may have to rely on continuous practice for excellent results. Yet, belly putters have become very popular among golfers. Professional golfers such as Paul Azinger (who topped number 4 ranking in PGA tour in 2000), Vijay Singh (who is considered a contender o Tiger Woods) and many more are relying on belly putters to putt really well.
Perhaps owing to its success rate, belly putters may be axed or banned from USGA tours. Belly putters apparently has lessened the competitive spirit of the game and made things easier! This has alerted many pro golfers and amateurs to take notice. Companies who are bust manufacturing golf accessories are likely to suffer huge losses as a result. After all 20-25% of their revenue is generated from belly putters that sell like hot cakes among all golfers! Only time would tell if belly putters would be a matter of history or something that would work be back in news of “never been banned” golf product.
